Writing implement



Aug. 12, 195:3`

H. v. scoT'r 'WRITING IMPLEMENT Filed Mareh 5, 1957 United States Patent O WRITING nvrPLEMENT Harold V. Scott, Harrisburg, S. Dak. Application March s, 1957, serial No. 644,000 s claims. (cl. 1z0-102) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in writing implements such as pens, mechanical pencils, and the like, and the principal object of the invention is to enable the user of such implements to write with less fatigue by preventing -his or her ngers from sliding downwardly along the handle of the implement.

This object is attained by the provision of a laterally projecting nger rest on the'handle of the writing implement, such a linger rest being adapted for supporting engagement by the index finger of the users hand so that sliding or slipping of fingers is prevented and, as a result, the handle may be casually held rather than firmly gripped yby the hand, to substantially minimize finger fatigue incident to the use otk writing implements' of conventional types.

An important feature of the invention resides in a pivotal mounting arrangement of the linger rest, which permits the same to be swung out of the way into an inoperative position when it is not in use.

Another important feature of the invention resides in providing the handle of the Writing implement with a recess adapted to receive therein the finger rest when the same is swung to its inoperative position, so that in this position the finger rest is ilush with the outer surface of the handle.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the provision of means for sustaining the linger rest selectively in its operative and inoperative positions.

Some of the advantages of the invention lie in its simplicity of construction, in its etcient and convenient operation, and in its adaptability for embodiment in writing implements of various sizes and types.

With the foregoing more important objects and features in View and such other objects and features as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention Will be understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing the invention in use;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational View of a writing implement, partly in section to reveal the invention;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view, taken at right angles to that shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional detail, on an enlarged scale, showing the nger rest in its inoperative position;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional detail, on an enlargedscale, showing the finger rest in its operative position; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 6-6 in Figure 4.

Referring now to the accompaning drawing in detail, the writing implement embodying the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10 and, as such, may be in the form of a pen, mechanical pencil, or the 2,846,978 Patented Aug. 12, 1958 like, a mechanical pencil being shown in the drawing for illustrative purposes.

The implement 10 comprises the usual handle or holder 11 provided at one end thereof with writing means 12 such as a pencil lead, a pen nib, or the like, depending on the type of the implement involved.

The invention resides in providing the handle or holder 11 with a longitudinally extending recess 13 disposed in the end portion of the handle or holder carrying the writing means 12. An elongated linger rest 14, provided at one end thereof with a block member 15, is pivotally mounted on a suitable pin 16 extending transversely of one end portion of the recess 13, as shown. The pin 16 passes through the block member 15 of the nger rest 14 and the end portions of the pin are disposed in aligned bores 17 with which the handle 11 is formed at opposite sides of the recess.

The block member 15 Ais provided with a pair of cam faces 18, 19 disposed at right angles to each other and engageable by the free end portion of a leaf spring 20. This spring is disposed in a cavity or well 13a provided in the end portion of the recess 13 adjacent the pivot pin 16, and the other end of the spring 20 is embedded in the handle 11 as indicated at 21.

When the finger rest 14 is in its inoperative position, it is disposed longitudinally in the recess 13, flush with the outer surface of the handle 11, whereby it is fully out of the way and does not interfere with carrying or storing the writing implement. However, the finger rest may be easily swung to its operative position as indicated by the arrow 22 in Figure 2, so that it projects laterally from' the handle 11, substantially at right angles thereto. In this position the finger rest may be supportably engaged by the index linger of the users hand as shown in Figure l, so that the lingers are prevented from sliding or slipping downwardly along the handle while writing. As a result, the handle may be casually held rather than rmly gripped by the fingers, and fingers fatigue incident to the use of conventional writing implements is thus materially minimized.

When the finger rest 14 is in its projected, operative position, the outer surface thereof abuts an end wall 13b at one end of the recess 13, whereby to provide a stop for preventing the linger rest from swinging beyond its perpendicular position relative to the handle. Moreover, the free end portion of the spring 20 engages the cam face 18 of the block member 15 and also serves to sustain the finger rest in its projected position.

On the other hand, when the finger piece is retracted into the recess 13, the free end portion of the spring 20 engages the cam face 19 of the block member 15 as shown in Figure 4, in order to sustain the finger rest in its retracted position. While the nger rest is being swung from either of its two positions to the other, a corner portion 23 of the block member between the faces 18, 19 bears against the free end portion of the spring 20 and urges the same to a depressed position in the cavity 13a as shown by the dotted lines 20a. As a result, the tendency of the depressed spring to return to its initial, ila't position exerts a pressure against the corner portion 23 and causes the nger rest 14 to swing in a snap-action manner, to either its projected or retracted position, as desired.

Since the finger rest 14 is flush with the outer surface of the handle 11 when in its retracted position, a hold or grip 24 is provided at the free end thereof, whereby the nger rest may be easily engaged by a finger nail and swung to its projected position. The hold or grip 24 also performs a secondary function, namely, that of a stop, engageable with the holder 11 at the end of the recess 13 for preventing the finger rest from swinging too far into the recess. Such stop means, of course, are not necessary if the recess isonly deep enough to accommodate the thickness of the nger restfA Although the invention has been disclosed as being embodied in the structure of the writingimplement itself, it may be also provid'edas an attachment for conventional writing implements Without requiring. any structural changen the latter# Moreover, the invention may be applied to'irnplements other than Writingirnplements, such as for example, scribers, pointers, and the like.

It may bealso mentioned that although the accompanying.. drawing discloses the handle of theimplement as 'being provided with only one linger rest`,-two or more such rests maybe provided at different locations on the samehandle, for supporting engagement with several lingers of the hand.

Thus,- While in the foregoingthere has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, various modifications may become4 apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Accordingly, it is not desired to limit the invention to this disclosure, and various modifications may be resorted to, such as may lie within the' spirit and scope of. the appended claims.

What isclaimed as newkis:

l`. A writing implement `having an elongated handle providedy at one end thereof with writing means and with a recess adjacent said writing means, a laterally projecting linger rest providedl on said handle and retractable into an inoperative position in said-recess, and means for sustaining; said finger rest selectively in its projected and retracted positions. 4

2; A writing irnplementhaving an elongated handle provided at one end thereof with writing means and with a longitudinally extending rece`s's` a'dj'a'cient'L said v'vritiigl means, an elongated linger rest pivotally mounted in said recess and swingable from a laterally projected operative position to an inoperative position wherein it is retracted in said recess flush with the outer surface of said handle, and means for sustaining said nger rest selectively in its projected and'ret'ia'eted positions and comprising a spring disposed inl said recessv and operatively engaging said linger rest.

3. A writing implement having an' elongated handle provided at one end thereof with writing means and with a longitudinally extending recess adjacent said writing means, an elongated linger rest pivotally mounted in said recess and swingable from a laterally projected operative position to an inoperative position wherein it is retracted in said recess flush with the outer surface of said handle,

means for sustaining said linger rest selectively in, its projected and retracted'poitions' 'oriipri'sing'a .cani-surfaced block providedl on the pivoted' portion of said iig'erres't and a leafv spring monted in" saidY recess and'opertively engaging cam surfaces of rsaid block, said Qrec'fss yhaving a transverse end wall adjacent', the; end, of said handlewhch is provided with writingmweanls, said transverse end wall providing stop means engaged by said' filg'l rest" inA its projected4 position.

References Cited in the lile. of this patent" FOREIGN PATENTS' j 

